PORT ST. LUCIE -- With his first step onto the basepaths, more than 400 fans began to cheer.
Tim Tebow plays baseball while 70 members of the media watched the number 15, still clad in orange and blue, get back to playing the sport he dreamed about playing growing up.
"It was a lot of fun. It was great," Tebow said. "It was great to be on a team. It was great to just go through a warmup and go through drills and just have fun, take BP, get to know the guys, try to remember as many names as possible."
Tebow says he didn’t feel nervous, just excitement. Overall, day one of instructional league meant truly getting down to the basics, even with how you dress.
"I was like, 'Gosh, it’s been a while since you felt like that.' The jersey, I was like, 'It’s a little baggy.' Trying to get it all right. Totally felt like a kid for sure," Tebow said.
Playing baseball consistently for the first time since he was a junior in high school, Tebow has high hopes. Instructional league only lasts for three weeks, but Tebow was clear to say regardless of what level of baseball he starts at, the goal is to make it to the majors.
"I think it’s all about perspective and how you define things, and for me, success is going to be defined by giving it everything I have and being the best I can be, and pursuing this with everything I have, and it’s a blessing to be able to pursue that," Tebow said.
The most watched part of Tim Tebow’s day was batting, with everyone hoping to get a glimpse of him hitting a home run. While he never did clear the fence, Tebow showed off warning track power several times. He also seems very dedicated to the sport. When asked if an NFL team were to call him saying they need QB help this season, Tebow said, "No. I’m a member of the Mets family."
This article was originally posted to the Bright House Sports Network website.